Know About The Podi Cafe

The Story of Podi Café

Certain memories from your childhood will last forever: the scent of spices, the warmth of the family kitchen, and the tastes of uncomplicated home-cooked foods. When Lipy and Chirag Bafna stepped into Nila Amma's Kitchen in South India, they instantly thought of those memories as they turned fresh ingredients into delightful, homely meals. Years later, while exploring the food scene across Gujarat, the couple suddenly felt they were missing something – simple South Indian comfort food, with all of the rustic charm.

This concept evolved into Podi Café in 2017, not just a restaurant but a place founded on tradition, simplicity, and good hospitality. It was built with passion before recipes, a store that represents their journey of nostalgia to a brand.

The name "Podi" was an obvious choice for Lipy and Chirag. In South Indian homes, the word podi means "powder" and refers to spice mixes that are made partly of fried lentils, spices, and herbs. Podi recipes are generally handed down from one generation to another. The name Podi captures their ethos of being small, but powerful; humble, but unforgettable. The ethos is reflected in all of their dishes, from a crispy dosa slathered in podi to a fluffy idli.

Growth Beyond Surat

Podi Café started in Surat and saw growth as the local food that reminded people of home. Inspired by the love from their first café, the couple expanded into Ahmedabad, into Bodakdev, Sindhu Bhavan Road and continued to serve authentic flavours while creating a community around honest, healthy food.

A Soulful Brand: Podi Café is not just about food; it is about culture. The Nouveau Studio, at the direction of the café's owners, worked with tropical banana leaves, rangoli, and lotuses as design elements in the café. They intentionally attempted to front and showcase their ethos and their culture in every aspect of the design.   

The Entrepreneurial Journey and Lessons of Value: What Lipy and Chirag have shared are ageless lessons: follow your passion, honour your culture and traditions, take your time and just be yourself. Their ongoing examples bring home the message that true success is not chasing what is current and affluent; it is creating something of value.